How to Change Time on Huawei Watch: Simple Guide That Actually Works

Ever tried to change the time on your Huawei Watch only to realise you can't do it directly on the device? You're not alone.
Importantly, changing time on Huawei Watch isn't as straightforward as adjusting traditional watches. Specifically, the Watch GT 4 and other Huawei smartwatch models rely entirely on synchronisation with your smartphone through the Huawei Health app.
This dependency on phone synchronisation might seem limiting at first. However, it ensures your watch maintains accurate time settings, supports dual time zones, and keeps you on schedule for professional appointments and fitness tracking.
We'll walk you through the exact process of changing time on your Huawei Watch using your smartphone. Whether you're travelling across time zones or dealing with daylight saving changes, this guide will help you keep your watch perfectly synchronised.
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Quick Time Change Methods for All Huawei Watches
Unlike traditional watches, Huawei smartwatches operate on a different principle when it comes to time settings. Most Huawei watches don't have independent time adjustment features - instead, they mirror the time from your connected smartphone.
Changing Time Through Your Phone (All Huawei Models)
The most reliable method to change time on your Huawei watch is by adjusting your phone's settings:
- On your smartphone, go to Settings > System & updates > Date & time
- Turn off "Set automatically" to enable manual time adjustment
- Tap "Set time" and adjust to your desired time
- Your watch will sync with these changes immediately
Remember to keep Bluetooth enabled on both devices during this process. The synchronisation happens automatically, with no need for additional steps on your watch.
Special Case: HUAWEI WATCH 3/4 Series
The HUAWEI WATCH 3/4 Series offers slightly more flexibility:
- These models support independent time syncing with an eSIM service
- You can change the time format by going to Settings > System & updates > Date & time on the watch itself, then toggle on the switch for 24 Hours
Ensuring Proper Synchronisation
For seamless time updates, additionally:
- Keep the Huawei Health app updated to the latest version
- Add Huawei Health to your phone's background protection list to maintain connection
- If time still appears incorrect, try forcing synchronisation through the Huawei Health app by going to the Devices section and selecting your watch
To verify successful synchronisation, simply check that the time displayed on your watch matches your smartphone. Although this dependency on phone synchronisation might seem limiting, it actually ensures more accurate timekeeping as you move between locations or time zones.
Changing Time When Travelling
Travelling across time zones with your Huawei Watch requires minimal effort, thanks to the automatic synchronisation features built into the system.
Automatic Time Adjustment While Travelling
For seamless time updates during travel, ensure your phone's automatic time settings are enabled:
- Go to Settings > System & updates > Date & time on your phone
- Toggle on "Set automatically"
- Enable "Automatic time zone" option to allow location-based adjustments
Consequently, whenever you cross time zones, your phone will detect the change and automatically update both its time and your connected Huawei watch. This automatic synchronisation eliminates the hassle of manually adjusting your watch upon arrival at a new destination.
Setting Up Dual Time Zones
For frequent travellers who need to track time in multiple regions simultaneously, Huawei smartwatches offer a convenient dual time zone feature:
- Open the Huawei Health app on your connected smartphone
- Navigate to the watch settings section
- Look for the "Dual time zone" option and configure your preferred zones
This feature is particularly valuable for international business travellers or those with family in different regions.
Preparing Your Watch Before Travel
Before departing:
- Ensure the Huawei Health app is added to your phone's background protection list to maintain connection
- Verify that your watch is properly connected to your phone in the Huawei Health app
- For WATCH 3/4 Series users, check that your eSIM service is activated if you want independent time syncing
It's worth noting that time synchronisation is crucial for accurate tracking of workout durations, step counts, and calorie burn while travelling. Furthermore, most Huawei watches cannot display a different time zone than your phone – both devices will always show the same time.
While travelling, if you notice any discrepancy in time display, simply open the Huawei Health app and swipe down on the Health screen to force data synchronisation.
Troubleshooting Time Sync Issues
Despite Huawei's automated time sync system, occasional issues can arise. Most problems stem from connection failures between your watch and phone.
Common Sync Problems and Solutions
If your watch displays the wrong time, start with these basic fixes:
- Check Bluetooth Connection: Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices and they're within range of each other.
- Force Data Sync: Open the Huawei Health app and swipe down on the Health screen to manually trigger synchronisation.
- Verify Phone Settings: Since your watch mirrors your phone's time, double-check your phone's date, time and time zone settings are correct.
- Update the App: An outdated Huawei Health app can cause sync issues. Always use the latest version.
Addressing Persistent Disconnections
For watches that regularly lose connection:
- Add Huawei Health to your phone's background protection list. If the app gets cleared from memory, automatic reconnection won't work.
- Enable GPS and grant location permissions to Huawei Health. This improves connection stability significantly.
- For watches supporting calling, press the side button to re-establish connection manually.
Fixing Time Discrepancies
Slight time differences (1-2 seconds) between watch and phone are normal due to system processing delays.
For larger discrepancies:
- Navigate to your watch in the Huawei Health app and check connection status. If disconnected, tap "Connect".
- If your watch hasn't been connected for several days, expect about five seconds of time drift per 24 hours.
- HUAWEI WATCH 3/4 Series users can enable eSIM service for independent time syncing.
Last Resort Solutions
If problems persist:
- Restart both devices (often resolves temporary glitches).
- Unpair your watch from your phone, then repair them.
- For serious issues, backup your data and visit an authorised Huawei Customer Service Centre.
Conclusion
Managing time settings on Huawei watches might seem complex at first, though understanding the synchronisation process makes it straightforward. Most Huawei watches mirror your phone's time settings, while newer models like the WATCH 3/4 Series offer additional flexibility through eSIM services.
Automatic time zone adjustments prove especially useful during travel, eliminating manual updates altogether. Should any sync issues arise, simple steps like checking Bluetooth connections or forcing data synchronisation through the Huawei Health app usually resolve them quickly.
Remember that accurate time synchronisation affects more than just telling time - it ensures proper functioning of fitness tracking, notifications, and other smart features. Keep your Huawei Health app updated, maintain proper device connections, and your watch will serve as a reliable timekeeper wherever life takes you.
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FAQs
Q1. How can I adjust the time on my Huawei smartwatch? To change the time on your Huawei smartwatch, you'll need to adjust the time settings on your connected smartphone. Go to your phone's Settings > System & updates > Date & time, turn off "Set automatically", and manually set the correct time. Your watch will automatically sync with these changes.
Q2. Why is my Huawei watch displaying the wrong time? If your Huawei watch is showing the incorrect time, it's likely due to a synchronisation issue with your smartphone. Ensure that your watch is properly connected to your phone via Bluetooth and that the Huawei Health app is up to date. You may also need to check your phone's time settings to ensure they are correct.
Q3. How does my Huawei watch handle time changes when I travel? When travelling, your Huawei watch will automatically adjust to new time zones if your phone's "Set automatically" and "Automatic time zone" options are enabled. As you cross time zones, your phone will detect the change and update both its time and your connected Huawei watch accordingly.
Q4. Can I set dual time zones on my Huawei smartwatch? Yes, many Huawei smartwatch models offer a dual time zone feature. To set this up, open the Huawei Health app on your smartphone, navigate to the watch settings section, and look for the "Dual time zone" option. This feature is particularly useful for international travellers or those who need to track time in multiple regions.
Q5. What should I do if my Huawei watch keeps losing connection with my phone? If your Huawei watch frequently disconnects from your phone, try adding the Huawei Health app to your phone's background protection list to prevent it from being cleared from memory. Also, ensure that GPS is enabled and location permissions are granted to the Huawei Health app. If issues persist, try restarting both devices or unpairing and repairing your watch with your phone.